Banfield Pet Hospital® and Quvenzhane Wallis, pet lover and star of the upcoming musical film, “Annie,” announce a new chapter together with the release of a children’s book titled, “My Very, Very Busy Day!” The book is written to entertain and educate children by focusing on what it means to be a responsible pet owner, including the importance of pets receiving regular preventive veterinary care in order to be happy, healthy and of course, very, very busy. Quvenzhane Wallis contributed the book’s foreword, sharing with readers the love she has for her two dogs, Sammie and Shuga, as well as her future aspiration of becoming a veterinarian.

“Just like my own dogs, the pets in this book are very, very busy, and they count on their owners to take really good care of them,” said Quvenzhane Wallis. “I’ve always loved animals and dream of becoming a veterinarian when I grow up, so I’m very excited for this opportunity to help teach kids about what pets need to be happy and healthy!”

Each Page Turned is a Lesson Learned
The book follows a day in the life of two four-legged friends, Captain Noodles, a feisty, energetic dog and Kitty, a very wise cat as they spend their day doing what they love the most—eating, playing and sleeping. Captain Noodles and Kitty also visit the veterinarian for their six-month check-up, where the vet listens to their heart, checks their eyes, ears and teeth and makes sure they are free of fleas and ticks. Each activity is intended to amuse the reader, while also providing education, illustrating what it takes to be a responsible pet owner and the importance of pets receiving regular preventive veterinary care.

“My Very, Very Busy Day!” also features Banfield’s “Best Friend Promise” for children, which includes a list of actions children can do to help care for their pet. Activities such as providing fresh water, regular exercise and proper identification, among others, are all important components of being a responsible pet owner. The promise also includes a place for children to sign their name, signifying their understanding of what is needed to keep pets happy and healthy.

Banfield recruited two of its veterinarians, Dr. Ari Zabell, director of client advocate support in Portland, Ore. and Dr. Jessica Trice, chief of staff in one of Banfield’s Chicago hospitals, to provide medical expertise for the book.

“Responsible pet ownership and the importance of preventive veterinary care are learned through education—it is never too soon to teach children the importance of properly caring for a pet,” said Dr. Ari Zabell. “In addition to being great friends and loving companions, pets can teach children valuable lessons when it comes to responsibility. No matter how young a child is, they play a significant role in the family and in the life of a family pet—it’s important they build good habits at an early age when it comes to providing the best care possible for a pet. My three children truly enjoy taking an active role in caring for our two dogs—I’m really proud of how they’ve taken to heart what I’ve taught them about loving and caring for animals.”

“My Very, Very Busy Day!” is written and illustrated by Ray Nelson, a Portland, Ore. based artist, in partnership with Banfield Pet Hospital. To further Banfield’s commitment to making a better world for pets, the book will be available for a suggested donation of $10 to Banfield Charitable Trust, to provide preventive care to pets in need.